What happens when a young woman gives a miraculous birth? It’s simple, a demon of a son is born. Be Not Afraid follows Jordy Rehms, an evil that walks our earth. The folks in Enoch have come to fear this teenager, with good reasons. But there is more to this story, and you won’t believe the twists.

Be Not Afraid #1

Written By Jude Ellison S. Doyle – Art By Lisandro Estherren

Colors By Francesco Segala & Gloria Martinelli

Letters By Simon Bowland – Edited By Allyson Gronowitz & Elizabeth Brei

Published By BOOM! Studios

***Minor Spoilers Possible***

The Small-Town Anti-Christ

Cora is a young woman who just wanted a loving baby all to herself. In a miraculous way her prayers were answered, or so she thought. Despite the boy looking like an angel, he hid the real devil he was inside. As the boy became a teenager, he terrorized the small town of Enoch, with his evil and mysterious powers. Nobody was safe from his wrath, not an old woman who had been nice to him as a child, nor the upstanding man who defended said woman.

Upon returning home Cora confronts her son Jordy about the diabolical acts he caused in town. It is then that we realize that Jordy also is a terror to his own mother. Since it’s Jordy’s birthday, he makes his mom serve him cake, but not before what appears to be the corpse of his grandmother, is summoned by him to join them. After all this all Cora can do is pray to God to wipe the earth of this unholy being.

A Heavenly Twist to a Hell of a Story

Be Not Afraid #1 is an interesting take on an Anti-Christ type figure. Jude Ellison S. Doyle does an amazing job of creating this desolate world, with a completely evil figure. The best past is the reveal of Jordy’s conception and who his father is. It is an unexpected and completely out of left field reveal. The story feels confusing and a little lost at times but giving it the benefit of the doubt it is probably due to building some suspense and mystery.

 The art in this book is absolutely stunning and has an eerie beauty to it. Lisandro Estherren does stunning work with what appears to be a sketch style pencil. The town, the character designs, and especially the gory images come across as beautiful. Francesco Segala & Gloria Martinelli use color to make the sketch style stand out and give the art a bit of a chalk feel.

Check Out My Review of When I Lay My Vengeance Upon Thee #4

Final Thoughts

Be Not Afraid #1 has a wonderful premise with some of the most amazing art. The story is a slow burn, with a lot to be flushed out. However, with some of the early on reveals one can only assume there is more to come in future issues. For the art alone this is a must grab at the LCS this week, but for the promise of where this story can go is the reason to add it to your Pull List.

Overall Grade: 8/10

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